Drive mechanism



H. E. GOLBER DRIVE MECHANISM Jan. 14,1936.

' Filed May 11, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l H. E. GOLBER DRI VE MECHANISM Jan;14, 1936.

Filed May 11-, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. E. GOLBER DRIVE MECHANISM Jan.14, 1936.-

Filed May 11, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ffyma/Z E Golbe/f H. E. GOLBER DRIVEMECHANISM FiledMay 11, .1931 4 Sh e'ets-Sheet 4' Patented Jan. i4, 193%DRIVE MECHANISM Hyman 1E. Golber, Chicago, ill, assignor to ll/lliehlePrinting llress and Manufacturing @ompany, flhicago, llll., acorporation of llllinois Application May I1, 1931, Serial No. 536,346

24! Elairns.

The invention relates to mechanism for conveying and transferring sheetmaterial to operating machines, such as printing presses and the like,and has reference more particularly to operating mechanism for impartingthe desired motion to a sheet transfer device.

In automatically operated sheet handling machinery a stack or pile ofthe material to be fed is preferably placed on a supporting table wherethe sheets are separated and subsequently conveyed individually toregistering means, where each sheet is properly positioned prior to itsbeing transferred to a sheet receiving member, such as an impressioncylinder of a printing press.

In an application of the present invention to printing presses, forexample, a sheet to be printed is engaged after leaving the pile, andprior to its engagement with the registering means, by heet transfermechanism which initially functions to decelerate the sheet and to bringthe sheet to rest in a position engaging the registering means. It willbe appreciated that, should the sheet of paper contact with theregistering guides at a high speed, it would rebound from the guide andportions of the leading edge which touch the guides would probablybecome indented, thereby not only preventing accurate positioning of thesheet, but also marring the paper.

To eliminate such conditions and in order to prevent contact of a sheetagainst the guides at a high speed, the present invention provides meanswhich controls the sheet handling mechanism so that at the instant whenthe leading edge of the sheet comes into contact with the guides it willhave nearly come to rest. Subsequent to the registering of the sheet ofpaper the sheet transfer device, after having engaged the sheet, isaccelerated by means of mechanism forming part of the present inventionso that at the moment when the sheet is being transferred to the sheetreceiving means of the printing member or the like the sheet will haveattained the surface speed of that member.

In addition to the above it is necessary for the present invention tofunction in a manner whereby extreme accuracy in the registering of thesheets can be secured. Modern printing presses and similar machineryoperate at a much higher speed and moreover require an accuracy ofregistry far greater than was necessary heretofore. In order to takecare of these present day requirements it was found desirable to employas few operating parts as possible. Therefore, in

the 'present invention the operating members, by

means of which the sheet controlling elements (oi. ii-r35) are actuated,have been reduced to a minimum of two, namely, a uniformly rotatingdriving member and a follower directly driven thereby. By eliminatingthe use of links, rods or other intermediate connections the maximumaccuracy in registering the sheets is possible and the present devicetherefore operates efficiently over an unusual range of speeds hithertounattained.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved operatingmechanism for sheet transfer means, which will function to deceleratethe transfer means for the. purpose of registering the sheet and toaccelerate the transfer means, after a sheet has been engaged thereby,for the purpose of transferring the sheet to a uniformly rotatingprinting member at the peripheral speed of the member.

Another object is to provide operating mechanism for sheet handlingmachinery of simple construction for imparting rotary movement to afollower, i. e., to a driven shaft from a driving shaft, the movementbeing transmitted directly through gears and cams rigid with therespective shafts and wherein a complete rotation of the driving shaftwill impart to the follower predetermined variable movement whichwilldepend upon the design and configuration of the gears and cams.

An important feature of the present device and one which contributesmuch to the successful operation thereof is the construction by whichthe follower is initially rotated from a position of rest. Essentiallythe structure includes cams having engagement with rollers to whichtheir motion is imparted, the motion being continued by the gears. Bypermitting the gears on the driver to engage those on the follower afterrotation of the latter has begun, strain on the parts is reduced,backlash is eliminated and a smooth and uniform operation results,

Another object is to provide a device for operating a sheet transfermechanism which will employ a minimum of parts, securing thereby thehighest degree of accuracy in its operation and which will impart to themechanism intermittent motion, the initial motion from rest beingaccomplished by cams and being continued by gears and vice versa.

A still further object is to provide a composite gear built up ofsegments of centrodal contour in one plane, the segments where theircontour forms a concave cusp having a. tooth and where the contours forma convex cusp having a tooth space. The above feature has been found togive successful operation while other arrangements have been found tocause interference of the teeth and consequent locking of the mechanism.

A further object is to provide means for driving a. sheet transfermember directly from the rotating printing cylinder of the press, whichwill impart variable peripheral speeds to the transfer member inaddition to bringing the member to rest once in each of its revolutions;the above being accomplished without shock from entrainment of themechanism, thus providing a smooth running machine and one whereinaccurate timing of the movements of the transfer member can be secured.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved operatingmechanism for sheet transfer means, wherein a" uniformly rotating driverwill impart variable motion to the transfer means, the acceleration anddeceleration of the revolving masses being accomplished by centrodalgear segments, securing by means of the resultant centrodal motions themost eificient operation.

Another object is to provide an arrangement of parts as hereinafter setforth, which will be positive and reliable in operation and which willfulfill the necessary requirements of service and manufacture.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consistof certain novel features of construction and operation as will be morefully described and particularly pointed out in the specification,drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the device andwherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts-Figure 1 is a front view of the operating mechanism constructed inaccordance with the present Invention, whereby motion is transferredfrom a driving shaft to a follower;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a front view of the mechanism showing the same with certaingear segments in mesh;

Figure 4 is a front view showing the mechanism in a different positionof its operation;

Figure 5 is a front view showing the mechanism in still another positionof its operaton;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken through one end of the transfer shaftshowing a preferred form of locking means therefor;

Figure 7 is a detail view of the sheet transfer means showing theposition of the same immediately after a sheet has been engaged thereby;

Figure 8 is a view showing the position of the transfer means when thesheet is in contact with Its registering guides and after it has beenengaged by the transfer grippers;

Figure 9 is a view showing the relative position of the transfer meansand sheet gripping elements of a printing member as a. sheet is beingtransferred to the latter;

Figure 10 is a front view of a modified form of the operating mechanism,and

Figure 11 is a. detail sectional view showing the mounting for therollers.

More particularly describing the invention with reference to Figures 7,8 and 9, a sheet transfer mechanism I0 is disclosed including sheetengag ing grippers I I which are pivotally mounted at i2 and may beoperated in any well known manner to open and close. Preferably themember I3 of the transfer mechanism is provided at its lower end with ashoulder I4 which serves as a means for straightening out the leadingedge of a fed sheet and which in this particular form of the arrangementalso acts as a support or pad for the grippers II. The member I3furthermore is provided with a projection or projections I5 which extendinto the path of a fed sheet and which will operate to slow down a sheetfor registering purposes, as will be explained later. Obviously, anydesired number of grippers and operating parts may be arranged on thetransferring member, depending on the width of the sheets to be handled.

In order to provide clearance for the grippers II and the projections I5the front edge of the registering table I6 is recessed so that aplurality of tongues I! are formed, which function to support theleading portion of a sheet across its entire width. Positionedimmediately below the end of the tongues I! are a plurality ofregistering guides I8, mounted to swing about an axis in order to moveinto and out of their registering position, as is well known in the art.As shown in Figure 9 the transfer mechanism is positioned adjacent aprinting cylinder 2| having associated therewith cylinder grippers 22adapted to rotate on axis 23, the grippers being actuated by anysuitable means to open and close upon the sheet of paper deliveredthereto by the transfer mechanism.

The transfer mechanism I0, which is secured to the rotatably mountedtransfer shaft 25, transfers a registered sheet from the table I6 to thegrippers 22 at an accelerating speed, in other words, the sheet will beengaged by the grippers II while at rest and advanced at an increasingvelocity so that when the sheet is presented to the grippers 22 it willhave reached the surface or uniform speed of the cylinder 2|. Thereuponthe transfer mechanism continues to rotate until of the transfermechanism commenced and the motion continues until the mechanism comesto rest in a position as shown in Figure 8, so that projections I 5 havea gradual slowing down movement. This slow-down motion which is impartedto the members and the angular relation of the face of the fingers I5 tothe path of a fed sheet will avoid any rebounding of the sheet orentraining of its leading edge, since the moment when a sheet engagesthe fingers, the speed of the same is approximately that at which thesheet travels,

necessarily somewhat less and the retardation of the fingers and thusthe sheet is gradually and preferably parabolic.

The present invention is primarily concerned with operating or drivingmeans for imparting to the sheet transfer mechanism its rotaryaccelerating and decelerating motions and it will be clear that thetransfer shaft or follower constitutes the driven shaft and is directlyoperated from the driving shaft which may or may not comprise therotating printing member of the printing press.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated one form of mechanismincluding the driven shaft 25 or the one adapted to operate the transfermechanism described and the driving shaft 40 rotated at uniform speed.Mounted on the shaft 25 by means of the hub portion 3| is a centrodalgear segment 32. Also mounted on the shaft 25 is a similar manner is acircular gear segment 33, the segment 32 having a definite angularposition with respect thereto. A second centrodal gear segment 36,suitably secured to the shaft, completes the gear elements for thefollower. An arm 34 is provided with studs 35 upon which are mounted therol ers 31 and 38 respectively, the

rollers being adjustable on the bracket by means of the eccentric ends39 of the studs which are rotatably fitted in openings in the bracket asshown. The bracket and thus the rollers rotate with the shaft 25 as thebracket is rigid therewith, being secured to the shaft in any suitablemanner.

The driving shaft 49 has bolted thereto the hub portion 4| to whichlssecured the centrodal gear segment 92 comprising the complementary gearfor the gear 32 and which meshes therewith. The circular gear segment 33is rigidly afixed to the driving shaft by bolts M and transmits itsmotion to the follower by meshing with its complementary segment 33. Hub95 is integral with the centrodal gear segment 45 and secures i gear tothe shaft.

Positioned intermediate'the gear 92 and the gear it and suitably boltedto the shaft by bolts 59 are cams i and 52 respectively, each cam havingat one end a portion of more determined curvature such as 53 and 54, andat its other end an extension 55 and 55, respectively. In everyrevolution of the shaft said cams engage the rollers 31! and 38 on thedriven shaft or follower 25, roller 3i riding on the cam 5I, whileroller 59 engages cam 52.

The operation of the mechanism will be understood by referring toFigures 1, 3', 4 and 5, which show the different positions the partsassume during a revolution. It will be understood from what has beenexplained that shaft 49 rotates at a uniform speed and that once inevery revolution shaft 25 periodically comes to rest for a considerablelength of time to permit the registration of the sheet prior to theclosing of the grippers II thereon. With the cams 5I and 52 engaging therollers 31 and 38 the driving shaft rotates at its uniform speed whileshaft 25 remains at rest. It is during this period that the sheet isregistered and held to the transfer mechanism by the grippers II.Continued rotation of the driving shaft results in extension 56imparting a constantly accelerating counter-clockwise movement to roller38 which is transmitted to the bracket 34 and thus to the follower. Thisinitial rotation of the follower permits gears 32 and 42 to mesh withoutany impact. Further rotation of the driving shaft is thus imparted toshaft 25 through the meshing of the centrodal gear segments 32 and 42which function to cause further acceleration in the rotary motion of theshaft so that the transfer mechanism operated thereby is accelerateddriving shaft 40 rotates at uniform speed. During engagement of thecircular gear segments the transfer mechanism is operated to deliver tothe rotating printing cylinder the sheet held thereby, which issimultaneously grasped by the grippers 22 on the cylinder. The deliveryof the sheet having been accomplished by transfer mechanism traveling ata rate of speed equal to that of the printing cylinder, it is then onlynecessary for the transfer mechanism to continue its rotation until itis in position to engage and slow-down the movement of the next sheetbeing fed on the table It.

In order to allow time for transfer mechanism to slow down and to cometo rest while the sheet is being registered, the operating means in thisparticular arrangement is provided with the gear segments 35 and 45secured to the driven shaft and driving shaft, respectively. Uponcontinued rotation of the driving shaft from the position of the partsas shown in Figure 4, these gears will presently mesh with each otherand will function to impart to the driven shaft, first an acceleratingmotion and then a decelerating motion. In this manner time is secured toallow the transfer mechanism to slow down, caused by the deceleratingmotion and to come to rest as explained. The accelerating motion withthe gears in mesh ends when the parts assume the position as shown inFigure 5, and the deceleration of the shaft commences and continues aslong as the gears remain in engagement, whereupon it is taken over andcontinued by the cams until the follower is brought to rest.

During this slow-down motion of the driven shaft 25 the driving shaftwill have rotated to a position where the arcuate end 59 of the cam 52contacts with roller 38 rotating with the driven shaft. Further rotationcauses the roller 37! to ride upon the extension 55 of cam 5i, whereuponthe meshing of the centrodal gear segments 36 and d6 ends. The rotationof the follower is now under full control of the cams which function toimpart gradually decelerating motion thereto and to finally bring thefollower to a position of rest, whereupon the parts again assume theposition shown in Figure 1.

As an additional micrometric locator, in order to prevent the smallestmovement in either direction of the transfer device from a position ofrest, even after the mechanism has become worn in actual practice, thetransverse shaft 25 is pro- I vided on its end opposite to the drivinggears with a disc 90, Figure 6, having formed on its periphery a notch9I for receiving the locking member 92. A support 93, suitably securedto the frame, has pivotally connected thereto at 94 an arm 95, to oneend of which is pivoted the member 92, and at the other end the rod 96.The spring 91 is positioned on rod 96 and engages at one end a shoulderprovided on the support so that the spring resiliently urges member 92in a direction to set within the notch when the same is correctlypositioned with respect thereto. The member and notch are beveled onboth sides, as shown, so that automatically with rotation again of thedisc the member is lifted out of the notch. By the above structure thetransfer arm is held in registering position but is releasedsimultaneously with engagement of extension 59 with roller 38 to impartthe intial movement to the transfer shaft from its position of rest.

In Figure 10 there is disclosed a modified form of driving mechanismwherein accelerating motion from a position of rest is imparted to thetransfer shaft and then uniform motion for permitting the delivery ofthe sheet to the printing cylinder. Subsequent to ths operation uniformmotion is again imparted to the follower or driven shaft since in thismodification it is not necessary to gain additional time for thedeceleration of the follower as in the previously described arrangement.

Suitably secured to or mounted on transfer shaft I25 is a composite gearbuilt up of a centrodal segment I32, a circular segment I33 and a secondcentrodal segment I60. The remainder of the composite gear comprises asegment I6I which is circular, and a segment I62, the latter segmenthaving a position adjacent the gear segment I32. Also secured to shaftI25 is a bracket I34 to which is pivotally secured a roller I31, thebracket being adjustable with respect to the composite gear by means ofthe adjusting mechanism I63. Aroller I38, similar to roller I31, isrotatably mounted directly on the circular gear segment ISI so thatadjustment of the bracket by means of the mechanism I63 will function tovary the relationship of the rollers with each other in order to take upany play that might exist between said rollers and their cooperatingcams.

The driving shaft I40 has suitably keyed thereto the driving wheel I10to which are bolted semi-circular hub portions I13 and I14. This latterhub serves to mount rigidly on the driving shaft a composite gear havinga plurality of gear segments including a centrodal segment I42, acircular segment I43, a second centrodal segment I and a circularsegment IBI, comprising the greater portion of the gear. To complete thedriving mechanism a gear segment I82 is provided as shown.

The hub I13 has formed integrally therewith the cam I5I, while similarlysecured to the shaft is a second cam I52. Both cams are provided at oneend with portions of more determined curvature and at their other endwith extensions similar to the arrangement disclosed in the device ofFigure 1. In order to provide for adjustment of gear segment I43 withrelation to its adjacent segments an adjusting mechanism I85 isprovided, while the circular gear segment IBI is adjustably positionedon the driving shaft by mechanism I85.

With the parts in position as shown in Figure 10 it is seen that rollersI31 and I38 ride respectively upon the cams I5I and I52 so that rotationof the driving shaft M0 continues while shaft I25 remains momentarily atrest. Initial movement in a counter-clockwise direction is imparted toshaft I25 when the extension formed on cam I52 engages the roller I38which permits meshing of segments I32 and I42 without any impact. Thesesegments, it will be understood, cause accelerating motion to beimparted to shaft I25, whereupon the circular segments I35 and I43 meshwhen a predetermined speed of shaft I25 has been reached. During theperiod the circular gears remain in mesh, the delivery of the sheet fromthe transfer mechanism to the rotating cylinder grippers takes place.Provision in the present arrangment of segments fifl and I00 causesgradual decelerating motion of shaft I25 to occur, subsequent to whichthe circular gears NH and I8I engage and the follower is rotated atuniform speed. For the slow-down motion of the transfer mechanism thegear segments I62 and I82 are provided, the meshing of which takes placeimmediately prior to the engagement of the rollers I31 and I38 withtheir respective cams.

Frequently the space for the mechanism is limited, and then it isdesirable to put the gear segments in one plane instead of two or more.Under the circumstances it has been found desirable as a practicalexpedient to form a gear tooth where the contours of the gears form aconcave cusp and to form a tooth space where the contours of the gearsform a convex cusp. The above is carried out in the present structureand is cleany shown in Figure 10, where gear segments I42 and I43, byreason of their contour,

form a convex cusp so that a tooth space I98 is provided at the joiningline of these segments. The opposite occurs on the joining line ofsegments I33 and IE0, since the contours of these segments are such asto form a concave cusp so that on their joining line a tooth I99 isprovided. It is possible mathematically to determine the centrodes orrolling pitch lines of the gear segments for securing parabolical motionof the follower from a uniformly rotating driving member. The contoursof the segments, however, do not form true parabolas or true ellipsesbut are of a contour which may be termed centrodal. It is best thatrevolving masses be decelerated and brought to rest with a motion, theacceleration of which is constant, which motion is ordinarily calledparabolic, if the most efficient and smoothest operation of the machineis to be secured.

The present mechanism functions to impart rotation to a follower in themanner above described, with the result that the sheets are taken undercontrol, guided and brought to rest for registering, then positivelyengaged and transferred to a revolving printing cylinder, all operationsbeing accomplished with the maximum smoothness.

It is seen that the accelerating motion of the follower is imparted bygears having a. centrodal contour, such as gears 32, 42 and I32 and I42,

which results in uniformly accelerating motion characteristic of themotion of a body falling under gravity. The same is true of gears I62and I82 in the modified form whereby both the acceleration anddeceleration of the transfer shaft occurs gradually in the mannerdescribed. The weight or mass of the revolving mechanism is speeded upand slowed down in such a manner as to result in the smoothest motionpossible. Moreover, said centrodal motion, although initiated by thecams, is continued without the slightest shock by the centrodal gears,so that the cams and gears as a unit produce the desired smoothestpossible motion of the follower, namely, the centrodal or parabolicmotion.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exactembodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustrationand not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will ofcourse be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. Means for transferring motion from a driving shaft to a followerincluding a plurality of gear segments on said driving shaft, gear seg-I ments adapted to mesh therewith on the follower, cams rigid with saiddriving shaft and located in different planes, and means on the followerhaving engagement with the cams to permit the shaft to rotate while thefollower remains at rest, said means having a single point of contactwith each cam respectively.

2. Means for transferring motion from a driving shaft to a followerincluding a plurality of gear segments on said driving shaft, gearsegments adapted to mesh therewith on the follower, cams rigid with saiddriving shaft and located in different planes, and means on the followerhaving engagement with the cams to permit the shaft to rotate while thefollower remains at rest, said means including a pair of rollersarranged in a manner whereby a cam has contact with only one roller.

3. Means for transferring motion from a driving shaftto a followerincluding a plurality of gear segments on saiddriving shaft, gearsegments adapted to mesh therewith on the follower, a pair ofsubstantially arcuate cams rigid with said driving shaft and located indifferent but parallel planes, and a pair of rollers on the followeradapted for engagement with the cams, the rollers being spaced and oneroller contacting one cam with the other roller engaging the other cam.

4. In a sheet transfer mechanism, a uniformly rotating driver, afollower having'rotations imparted thereto through centrodal gearsegments on the driver meshing with co-operating segments on thefollower, and cams rigid with the driver for momentarily holding thefollower at rest, said cams having a contour to cause acceleratingmotion of the follower from a position of rest and decelerating motionbefore coming to rest again.

5. In combination, a transfer shaft, a uni jformly rotating drivingshaft, means for trans-- ferring motion from the driving shaft to thetransfer shaft including gear segments on the driving shaft and transfershaft fespectively,'

and cams rigid with the driving shaft and engaging rollers on thetransfer shaft, said cams permitting motion of the driving shaftindependent of the transfer shaft.

6. In combination, a transfer shaft, a uni formly rotating drivingshaft, means for transferring motion from the driving shaft to thetransfer shaft including gear segments rigid with said shaftsrespectively and adapted to have meshing engagement with each other,certain of said segments having a circular contour, other ofsaidsegments having a centrodal contour for imparting to the transfershaft variable motion, and cams rigid with the driving shaft and engaging rollers on the transfer shaft for permitting motion of the drivingshaft independent of the transfer shaft.

7. In sheet feeding mechanism, the combination of a sheet transfermember mounted for rotary motion, a uniformly rotating driving membertherefor, means operatively connecting said members for imparting to thetransfer member accelerating, uniform and decelerating rotary motion,and other means including a bracket on said transfer member and-camssecured to said driving members, said bracket having secured theretorollers for engaging the cams to permit said transfer member to remainat rest during a portion of a revolution while said driving membercontinues to rotate.

8. In sheet feeding mechanism, the combination of a sheet transfermember, ashaft therefor mounted for rotation, a uniformly rotatingdriving shaft, means for transferring motion from the driving shaft tothe transfer shaft including gear segments rigid with each of saidshafts respectively and adapted to having meshing engagement with eachother, certain of the. segments having a centrodal contour, other ofsaid segments located between said first mentioned segments and providedwith a circular contour, and cams rigid with said driving shaft andlocated between said centrodal segments for engaging rollers on saidtransfer shaft, whereby said transfer shaft has intermittent rotation.

9. Means for transferring motion from a driving shaft to a followerincluding a composite gear rigid with the driving shaft, a compositegear rigid with the follower, said gears having centrodal segmentsmeshing with each other, whereby said follower is rotated with anaccelerating motion, a uniform motion and a decelerating motionrespectively, a cam rigid with the driving shaft and located betweencertain of said gear segments, and roller means on said follower forcooperating therewith, whereby the rotation of the driving shaft forpart of a revolution is not imparted to the follower.

10. Means for transferring motion from a driving shaft to a followerincluding a plurality of gear segments on said driving shaft, gearsegments adapted to mesh therewith on the follower, and other means onthe follower and driving shaft cooperating with each other whereby thefollower remains at rest while the driving shaft rotates,

said means also functioning to impartv initial gear segments on saiddriving shaft, gear segments adapted to mesh therewith on the follower,

a cam rigid with said driving shaft and means on the follower adapted toengage therewith for permitting the shaft to rotate while the followerremains at rest, said cam functioning to impart initial movement to thefollower from said position of rest.

12. The combination with a driving member and a follower member adaptedto be driven thereby, of means operatively connecting said membersincluding centrodal gear segments for causing variable motion of thefollower, and cams on said driving member for beginning and ending themotion of the follower caused by the respective gear segments.

13. -The combination with a driving member and a follower adapted to bedriven thereby, of means operatively connecting said members includingcentrodal gear segments for accelerating, uniformly rotating anddecelerating the follower, and cams mounted on said driving member, saidcams cooperating with means on the follower to cause decelerating motionthereof, to hold the follower at rest, and to accelerate the same.

14. In sheet transfer mechanism, in combination, a rotary gripper shaft,gears secured to said shaft, rollers secured to said shaft, and auniformly rotating driver having gears and cams mounted thereoncooperating with said first mentioned gears and said rollersrespectively for driving the shaft and permitting the shaft to come torest while the driver rotates.

15. In operating means for sheet transfer mechanism, the combination ofmeans including a driver and a follower having cooperating centrodalgears and cams thereon, to impart to said mechanism accelerating motionfor transferring a sheet from a position of rest to amoving printingmember, to move the mechanism at the surface speed of said member whilethe sheet is being transferred thereto, and to decelerate and bring torest said transfer mechanism for slowing down a successive sheet priorto it being registered and transferred to said printing member.

16. In sheet feeding-mechanism, the combination of a sheet transfermember mounted for rotary movement, a uniformly rotating driving membertherefor, means'operatively connecting said members for imparting to thetransfer member accelerating, uniform and decelerating motion,other'means associated therewith including a cam on said driving memberto permit the transfer member to come to rest subsequent to thedecelerating motion, and locking means for the sheet transfer member forholding the member at rest.

17. Means for transferring motion from a driving shaft to a followerhaving sheet transfer means including a composite gear rigid with thedriving shaft, a composite gear rigid with the follower, said gearshaving segments meshing with each other, said segments having varyingcontours whereby said follower is rotated with an accelerating motion, auniform motion, and a decelerating motion, respectively, a cam rigidwith the driving shaft and located between two gear segments to permitthe follower to remain at rest while the driving shaft rotates for partof a revolution, and locking means for the follower to hold saidfollower at rest and said sheet transfer means in registering position.

18. In sheet feeding mechanism, the combination of a sheet transfermember mounted for rotary movement, a uniformly rotating driving membertherefor, means operatively connecting Said members for imparting to thetransfer member accelerating, uniform and decelerating motion, othermeans associated therewith including a cam on said driving member topermit the transfer member to come to rest subsequent to thedecelerating motion, and locking means for the sheet transfer member forholding the member at rest, said locking means including a notched discand a spring pressed cam for fitting in the notch thereof, said lockingmeans being constructed and arranged'to be automatically disengaged byrotation of the follower.

19. Means for transferring motion from a driving shaft to a followerhaving sheet transfer means including a plurality of gear segments onsaid driving shaft, gear segments adapted to mesh therewith on thefollower, means rigid with the driving shaft and cooperating with meanson the follower for permitting the shaft to rotate while the followerremains at rest, and locking means for locking the follower in saidposition of rest and to accurately locate the sheet transfer means inregistered position.

20. In sheet feeding mechanism, the combination of a sheet transfermember mounted for rotary motion, a uniformly rotating driving member,means operatively connecting said members including meshing gearsforming the major portion of the periphery of said members respectively,a section of said gears having a circular contour for rotating thetransfer member uniformly, other sections being constructed and arrangedto cause the transfer member to have decelerating and acceleratingmotion, and cam means on the driving member having dissimilar contourson the ends thereof and cooperating with means on the transfer member topermit the latter to come to rest between the decelerating andaccelerating motion, and to initiate the accelerating motion.

21. In sheet feeding mechanism, the combination of a sheet transfermember mounted for rotary motion, a uniformly rotating driving member,means operatively connecting said members including meshing gearsforming the major portion of the periphery of said members respectively,a section of said gears having a circular contour for rotating thetransfer member uniformly, other sections being constructed and arrangedto cause the transfer member to have decelerating and acceleratingmotion, cam means on the driving member for engaging with cooperatingmeans on the transfer member during the time the gears are not in mesh,whereby said follower comes to rest while said driving member continuesits rotation, said cam means having a characteristic contour of one endthereof to initiate the accelerating motion of the follower.

22. In sheet feeding mechanism, the combination of a sheet transfermember mounted for rotary motion, a uniformly rotating driving member,means operatively connecting said members including meshing gearsforming the major portion of the periphery of said members respectively,a section of said gears having a circular contour for rotating thetransfer member uniformly, other sections being constructed and arrangedto cause the transfer member to have decelerating and acceleratingmotion, cams on the driving member for engaging with cooperating meanson the transfer member during the time the gears are not in mesh, saidcams having dissimilar contours on the ends thereof, one contourpermitting the follower to come to rest and said other contour throughits engagement with the cooperating means on the transfer membereffecting initial rotation of said transfer member from its position ofrest.

23. In combination, a transfer shaft, a uniformly rotating drivingshaft, means for transferring motion from the driving shaft to thetransfer shaft including gears on the driving shaft and transfer shaftrespectively, and cams rigid with the driving shaft and engaging rollerson the transfer shaft, whereby said transfer shaft remains at rest andthe driving shaft rotates independently thereof when the cams androllers are in engagement, said rollers being adjustable to take up theplay between the same and the cams.

24. In combination, a transfer shaft, a uniformly rotating drivingshaft, means for transferring motion from the driving shaft to thetransfer shaft including gears on the driving shaft and transfer shaftrespectively, and cams rigid with the driving shaft and engaging rollerson the transfer shaft, whereby said transfer shaft remains at rest andthe driving shaft rotates independently thereof when the cams androllers are in engagement, said rollers being mounted for rotation oneccentric shafts respectively to permit adjustment for taking up theplay between the rollers and the cams.

HYMAN E. GOLBER.

